Latching device for split rims



May 12, 1931. A. w. WOODWARD 1,805,062

LATCHING DEVICE FOR SPLIT RIMS Filed July 9, 192a A 6 15\ n as- At A'b GU50: nev

' which latching devices are employed to main Patented May 12, 1931 omen STATES PATENT .oFFIc ALVA w. WOODWARD, or AKRON, 01110, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOODYEAR Ting & RUBBER COMPANY, or AKRON, 0310, A CORPORATION or oHIo LATCHING DEVICE FOR srLrr aims Application filedluly 9, 1928, Serial no; 291,171.

1 This invention relates to vehicle rims embodying an endless side ring and a transversely split member, and it has particular relation to a rim of the above designated character, on

tain the ends of the split member in abutting and aligned relation.

An object of the'invention is to provide a latching device for securing the ends of the v transversely split member in abutting and aligned relation, which shall be' disposed on the side of the rim in order to be'accessible from the outside of the wheel.

A rim of the type referred to is comprised of an annulartransversely split member having a tire engaging flange at one edgethereof and an interlocklng ring, also including a -t1re engaging flange, atthe other. ,Frequently it has been the practice to further lock the p ends of the transversely splitmember by a latch disposed entirely on the split member. According to one embodiment of the invention, the latching device comprises'an element which is adjustably securedto the'tire engag- 425 ing flange of the endless ring, and provided with a dependingportionvhaving projections that engage the ends of the transversely split member, thus maintainingthe ends in proper relation to the ring.

For .a better understanding of the inven-- tion, reference may now'be had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of the specification, of which;v Y

Figureil is a fragmentary elevational' view of a rim embodying a latching device constructed according to theinvention;

' p FigureQ is aifragmentary view of the inner Y peripheral surface of the rim, showing the latching device in its operative position;

. Figure 3 is a. cross-sectional View, taken substantially along the line IIIIII of Figure 2;'and

Figures 4 and 5 are detail views of one of the parts of the latching device.

In the embodiment of the invention employed for, the purpose of illustrating its.

transversely split annularmem er 11', having a tire-engaging flange 14 projecting normally from one edge thereof, and at the opposite edge, a groove 15 formed by aninwardly tapering annular portion 16, and an annular flange 17 at the inner edge thereof, which from the edge thereof embodying the groove 15, is intersected by the split in the member 11 likewise projecting inwardly from the opposite edge of the rim. Notches 19 and 20 are formed adjacent the base of the flange 17 and at opposite sides of the valve stem opening 18.

An endless locking ring 22, having a tire retaining flange 23 projecting normally from the edge thereof opposite the edge of the mem -I ber 11 from which the flange 14 projects,also' is provided with an inwardly "projecting annular rib '24, which is complementary tothe groove 15 in the split'member 11,'and' includes a radially extending surface 26 normallyabutting the flange -17. 7

On the outer side of theflange 23 of the endless ring 22,a stud 30 is secured by spot welding or'by any'other suitable method, which stud receives a nut 31 having a bearing portion-'32 projecting from the inner surface thereof'normally to the flange 23. The bearing portion :32 supports a lug 33 mounted bled relation therewith by aflare 36 on the outer end of the bearing portion, which en gages a counter-bored surface 35 on the lug.

The radially inner end of the lug33 is provided with a laterally disposed oifsetportion 38 projecting within the valve stem opening 18, thr' ugh which alateral groove 39 extends.

The ends of the flange 17 adjacent the opening 18, project within recesses 12 an'd43 formed in opposite edges of the projecting portion 38 and consequently abut the parallel side surface portions 41-6 and 47 thereof, while the notches 2O a-nd 19 adjacent the ends receive the portions 48 and 49 of the projecting portion which are disposed below the re- 'cesses. End surfaces 44 and 45 of'the re cesses 42 and 43 are engaged by side portions a so rotatably thereon and maintained in assemadjacent the ends of the ring, thus preventing outward movement of the latter.

In assembled relation, the lug 33 is secured upon the stud by the nut 31, with its ofset portion 38 disposed beneath the ring 22 and in abutment with the radially extending surface .26 of such ring. The groove 39 is disposed centrally with respect to the valve stem opening 18, while the ends of the flange 17 are disposed in the recesses 42 and 43 in abutment with the faces 44, 4'5, 46 and 47. Normally, the ledges 48 and 49 revent the ends of the transversely split mem er 11 from moving radially toward the .aXis of the rim, the faces 44 and 45 prevent relative rotary movement of the transpl-it member and the endless ring, while the faces 46 and 47 maintain the ends of the flange 17 against the radial surface 26 of the ring.

From ,the foregoing description, it is ap parent-that .a simple latching device has been provided that positively maintains the ,ends of a transversely split member in assembled relation with endless ring. It is apparent, also, ithat such .;a latching device is readily accessible from the outside of the wheel, and consequently may easily beassembled and disassembled with. respect to the rim.

Although I have illustrated only one form which the invention may assumeand have described in detail only a single application thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the invention is not so limited but that various minor modifications may be unmade therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: 1 I 1. The combination with a rim compris- 5 a transversely split member and an endless ring disposed upon the outer periphery of the member adjacent .one .edge thereof, the split in the member being in communication with the valve stem opening in the member, of a lug connected to the ring and having portions engaging the ends of the member on each side of the valve stem opening therein, said lug having a groove registering with the Valve stem opening whereby a valve stem .of a tire on the rim may be projected laterally to the outside of the rim. v 2. The combination with a rim comprising a transversely split memb.er,and an endless member disposed upon the outer periphery 19o of the member adjacent one edge thereof,

the split in the first mentioned member being in communication with a valve stem opening therein, of a lug connected to the enclless member and having portions engaging the ends of the split member on each side of the valve stem opening therein.

8. The combination with a rim comprising a transversely split member and an endless member normally interlocked therewith,

L30 said endless member having a substantially radially outwardly projecting tire engaging flange, of a latch secured to one side of the flange and having portions engaging the other member.

4. The combination with a rim comprising a transversely split member having :a tire engaging flange on one side and an inclined portion at its other, the latter portion terminating in a substantially radially projecting flange, thereby forming a groove in such member, the split in the radial flange being enlarged .circumferentially, and an endless member having a tire engaging flange and a portion disposed in the groove of the split member, of a latch secured to the outer side of the tire engaging flange on the endless member and movable axially thereof, said latch having parts projecting into the enlarged portion of the split in the radial flange of the split member.

Thecombination with a rim comprising a transversely split member having :a tire engaging flange on one side and an inclined portion its other, the latter portion terminating in :a substantially radially iprojeetingflange, thereby forming .a groove such in .mber, the split in the radial flange being enlarged circumferentialily, and an endless member a tire engaging flange and a portion disposed the groove of the split member, of a latch secured to the outer side 7 e tire engaging flange on the endless member and movable axially thereof, said latch 'havi g parts projecting into the enlarged pc on of thesp lit in the radial flange )0 of the split member, and portions disposed radially inwardly of the inner peripheral surfaces :ofthe'encls of the radial flange.

The combination of a rim com-prising a transversely split member having a gutter 05 at one side thereof, and an endless member partly disposed in the gutter, of a latch sec u redto the endless member and movable axially thereof, said latch having portions engaging the ends of the split member.

The combination of a rim comprising a transversely split member having a gutter at one side thereof, the outer side of such member having a substantially radial flange, and an endless member partly disposed in 115 the gutter, of a latch secured to the endless member and movable axially thereof, said latch having portions abuttin'gthe circi1mferentially extending ends of the radialfl'ange A. on the split member and other portions engaging axially extending surfaces of the Split member.

' 8. The combination of a rim comprising a transversely split member having a gutter R5 at one side thereof, the outer side of such member having substantially radial flange,

and an endless member disposed in the gutter, of a latch secured to the endless member and movable axially thereof, said latch hav- Q5 ing portions engaging axially extending surfaces at the ends of the flange.

9. The combination with a rim comprising a transversely split member and an endless member disposed upon the outer periphery of the split member adjacent one edge thereof, the split in the first mentioned member being enlarged beneath the endless member,

of a lug connected to the endless member and c having portions engaging the ends of the split member on each side of the enlarged portion of the split.

10. The combination with a rim comprising a transversely split member and an endless member disposed upon the outer periphery of the member adjacent one edge thereof, the portion of the split extending beneath the endless member being enlarged, of a lug connected to the endless member and having portions disposed in the enlarged portion of the split, and portions engaging ends of the split member on each side ofthe enlarged portion of the split.

11. The combination with a rim comprising a transversely split base member having a gutter adjacent one edge thereo'f,'and an endless member disposed on :the outer peripheryof the split member and partially within the gutter, said endless member projecting axially beyond the gutter edge of the split member, of a latch connected to the axially projecting portion of the endless member and having portions engaging the ends of the split member.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

Signed at Akron, in the county of Sum-- mit and State of Ohio, U. S. A., this 7th day of July, 1928.

ALVA WQWOODWARD. 

